Tony Leone: Put the ALPLM under federal control

Saturday

Jul 26, 2014 at 10:06 PM

The State Journal Register in a recent editorial stated what seemed obvious: that the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum needs a re-examination (“Communication, not legislation, the answer to ALPLM’s problems,” June 15).

The SJ-R stated, “Illinois has tapped thoughtful, well-intended experts in their fields to guide the state’s historic preservation efforts. The bad news is that they can’t seem to work together.” I completely agree. When coupled with all the controversy surrounding the expanded authority of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Foundation, what is needed is a re-examination of the entire operation.

As a former member of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency board and as one who was originally appointed in 2003 to the ALPLM advisory board, I’ve been a close observer from the beginning of all three boards. I believe an outside consultant with experience in operations of other presidential libraries is needed to determine how and whether transferring the ALPLM to the federal government is merited.

The chairman of the Illinois Historic Preservation Board has called for a confab to straighten out the hard feelings that have arisen. What is needed is a vetting of everyone’s concerns, as well as an examination of everyone’s responsibilities.

I’m concerned that the IHPA chairman’s initial proposal faces its own limitations. There is only one current board member who has served longer than five years, and though competent, none of the key staff directors have long tenures.

Unquestionably, the IHPA director and staff do a great job overseeing historic landmarks and preservation efforts. But any review should re-analyze why the IHPA was given the authority to oversee the ALPLM in the first place. In reality, this operation needs an overhaul, not a tune-up.

In my best judgment the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum should be turned over to the National Archives. There is precedence for this. In 1974, Congressman Paul Findley got the National Park system to take over the Lincoln Home site from the State of Illinois. Today the Lincoln Home operations are first-class with a $3 million operating budget, a considerable savings to the State of Illinois.

Modern presidential libraries, which fall under the National Archives and Records Act, have established collection policies, something missing here in Illinois. After a decade in existence, the Lincoln Presidential Museum is still not accredited, a major concern that often limits traveling exhibits from being displayed here. Being under the direction of the National Archives would allow for greater cooperation with many institutions and other Presidential Libraries throughout the United States.

A thorough review of all materials at the Lincoln Presidential Library is needed. With the advent of the Illinois Bicentennial celebration I suggest moving all Illinois-related items that do not pertain to Abraham Lincoln to the State Archives and/or the Illinois State Library. Both of these institutions are accredited, capable and well-established. Illinois historic documents that don’t pertain to Abraham Lincoln would be in their own collections.

By transferring to the National Archives, the Foundation fundraising could go to an endowment, all the dedicated volunteers would continue their positive impact on tourism and a State Historian could finally be hired.

I know that my proposal may not be popular with current members on all three boards, but anyone’s critique must acknowledge that there is room for improvement. Let’s choose what’s best for the Lincoln Library and Museum, a focal point of pride that once offered so much promise for Mr. Lincoln’s hometown, the City of Springfield.